Practical guide
How to prepare a stained-glass pattern on iPad
A workshop-ready pattern is not just a pretty outline. It needs reliable dimensions, understandable pieces, a fabrication review, and output that can be checked before cutting.
A reliable sketch-to-glass workflow
- Set the finished dimensions first. Choose width, height, and units before refining curves.
- Build closed, editable pieces. Every boundary should describe a piece you can label and revise.
- Review fabrication risk. Look for deep inside curves, narrow necks, and fragile shapes before cutting glass.
- Plan foil or lead came. Construction method changes the spacing and the finished geometry.
- Number pieces and estimate materials. The pattern should stay understandable away from the screen.
- Export and verify scale. Print a full-size tiled PDF or use SVG for a compatible vector workflow, then measure a known reference before cutting.
Why a general drawing app is not enough
Illustration tools are excellent for exploring a composition, but stained glass adds physical constraints. A line can look smooth on screen and still form an inside curve a wheel cannot follow. A narrow bridge can break even when the outline is mathematically valid. Lumenfoil 1.0 demonstrates a connected review workflow with the included Sunrise Poppy pattern: measurements, numbered pieces, cutability guidance, material planning, and output.
Full-size PDF or SVG?
Choose a tiled PDF when the immediate goal is a paper pattern at real scale. Choose SVG when you need editable vector paths or a compatible cutting workflow. In either case, verify the exported dimensions and printer scaling before committing glass.
Frequently asked questions
Can I create any stained-glass pattern in Lumenfoil 1.0?
Not yet. Version 1.0 is a focused introduction built around the included Sunrise Poppy pattern. You can edit its pieces, appearance, and dimensions; review cutability and materials; and export workshop files. Freeform pattern creation is not part of the current release.
What is the difference between PDF and SVG output?
A full-size tiled PDF is practical for printing a physical pattern across Letter or A4 sheets. SVG preserves vector paths for compatible cutters and design tools. Checking dimensions after export remains essential.
Can software guarantee that every glass piece is cuttable?
No. Geometry can flag narrow necks and deep inside curves, but glass type, grain, tools, and technique also affect the result. Lumenfoil presents warnings as editable guidance, not a fabrication guarantee.
Does Lumenfoil upload my artwork?
Lumenfoil keeps projects on the device. Files leave the app only when you choose to export, save, or share them through Apple system controls.